Page 87 of The More the Merrier

That was a problem. They had expected the snow and were prepared for it, but the freezing ice storm would make transport tricky, especially for unseasoned riders. Normally this event was not a drunk fest like last night’s feast, but inevitably people brought flasks filled with a stronger drink than spiced cider and mulled wine.

“Let’s use the back track to the lake. It’s more wooded and would have been pelted less than the large open trail and hopefully, calmer. See if one of our smaller units can do a run-through and flatten the conditions for the riders. We will need more braziers delivered and more raw fuel.

“Make sure that each pair receives a walkie-talkie before they leave for the party. As there is no cell service up there, I don’t want anyone getting lost.”

Gregor issued a few more orders before heading home. He received many knowing looks and a few smirks on the way, reminding him of last night.Claire. He pondered what to do about Claire.

He played out many scenarios, but his favorite was still her chained to their bed ready and waiting for them to pleasure her. He passed the hotel, his eyes automatically looking up to catch a glimpse of her in the window. Was she still abed? Was she in the dungeon? Maybe he could check and have another quickie before the event later. He had these thoughts, but he kept walking. There was plenty of time for pleasure and to figure out what to do with her.

Worst case scenario, he could send her home with Adam or Tristan, both were experimenting with locations, and although everything was in a trial stage, there was a lot to do and both men could use someone of Claire’s caliber. But as an executive secretary or PA, he would still see her here, every year, and be reminded of what they shared. Damn Blaze for opening up Pandora’s box.

Gregor arrived home and found the door to his roomie’s bedroom shut. Should he wake him up? He stood outside pondering his next move. As his friend, he should check on his welfare. As a friend, he was also pissed off that Ati hadn’t yet gone and dealt with his old injury. He was about to continue down the hall to his room when he heard a voice.

“Well, don’t lurk like some creeper, come in.”

Amused, Gregor shook his head and opened the door.

“Well, look at you, a bedraggled king. I take it your night was fulfilling.”

Gregor noted the look of amusement on his friend’s face. But he also saw the longing. “Aye, I did.”

Ati didn’t speak, just nodded his head.

“Atticus, Claire is asking me where this is going. I blew her off as I have no idea where this is going. I don’t want anyone else to have her, but I also don’t want to commit. I know, I’m an arsehole, but I was thinking it may be easier to pawn her off as an employee to Adam or Tristan.”

Atticus remained silent on the bed.

“If you have nothing to offer, I need to get cleaned up. I’ll be back with coffee and breakfast for you.”

“Don’t bother,” his friend finally spoke, swinging his legs off the bed and walking with barely a limp. “I’ll make coffee and breakfast, see you in the kitchen.”

“What’s your secret? You’re moving pretty good for a guy whose knee was the size of his thigh last night.”

“Motivation,” Ati said, adding a wink for emphasis as he passed Gregor and headed down the hall to the kitchen.

“Crazy Greek,” Gregor muttered under his breath, heading off to his room for a hot shower.

Chapter 15

Claire

What did he mean by there are things she didn’t know about him and Atticus? Claire had been pondering that statement since Gregor made his hasty retreat. Were they lovers? And if not, then why did it matter about Atticus? She was very attracted to Ati and his particular brand of dominance. He made her feel like a little girl, but a cherished one, spoiled and loved. Gregor made her feel things too, but very differently. If given the opportunity to choose one of them as her lover, she honestly didn’t know how she would choose between the one who made her feel like a little girl or the one who made her feel like a woman.

Claire rolled over and groaned. Every square inch of her body was sore like she’d run a marathon. Sex with Gregor was a bit of an Olympic sport she mused. Not even trying to get the fancy ball gown back on, Claire grabbed a robe from the bathroom and gathered her stuff. Hoping no one saw her, she made her way back to her room.

When the elevator opened, she rushed to her door, opened it, and slammed it shut in record time. Flinging herself down on the bed, she checked the time. Two hours until she needed to be in the square. Claire ordered room service and headed to the shower. The hot water massaged a lot of the ache out of her muscles. Parting her fleshy cheeks, to let the water hit her back hole, she was accurately aware of the subtle rawness. She’d had anal sex, something she never thought she would do. Or rather, never imagined she would be brave enough to attempt. But with Gregor in the lead, everything seemed possible.

What should she do? She’d promised herself she would take action after last night. What if she ran? But if she didn’t show up at the square, she had no doubt they would send out a search party. She wanted this, him and Atticus both, and couldn’t see a way through to having what she wanted. Claire was very aware that she was digging a hole for herself the longer she stayed and what if, in the end, they both rejected her as Sam had?

Claire couldn’t deal with another rejection, especially after experiencing what she had with both men. She needed to leave and the sooner the better. With her shower over, she wrapped herself up tightly in a large fluffy towel, wishing it was Ati wrapping her up and holding her tight. He would say something obtuse to make her laugh and all her angst would evaporate.

When there was a knock on her door, her imagination took flight. Could it be the sexy Daddy Dom to her rescue once more? Claire was disappointed when it was only room service. Reluctantly, she opened the door, allowing the uniformed attendant to place the tray on the coffee table, and watched as he removed the lid with a flourish.

She’d ordered a large breakfast and filled her plate with all her favorite breakfast foods. Despite last night’s feast, Claire felt she needed the big breakfast to make up for all the calories she burned after dinner. While that may be true, her motivation was fear.

Once she left Twin Peaks, she would be on her own for the first time, ever. No mother, no Blaze, no Atticus, and no Gregor. Left to her own devices with an almost empty bank account.

The first flight anywhere she promised herself. Let chance decide for her, and why not? No matter where she went it would be the same story, she would be alone and starting from scratch. Claire placed her near-empty tray in the hallway and sat back with her coffee mug, eyes glued to the mountain outside her window. It looked like they were in for snow, perfect timing.

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